Gary Golden’s Marathon Swim Kayaking Story

Today I had the joy and pleasure of chatting with marathon swim support kayaker, Gary Golden. As swimmers we are trying to get to the bottom of why these volunteers sign themselves up to support marathon swimmers as they attempt to bust borders and cross lakes in what isn’t usually placid conditions. Wind, waves, and even rain are part of the adventure, and as it turns out, our kayakers might not be that much different from us – they just prefer the view from above the water.

I feel so fortunate to meet folks who understand my brand of crazy enough to sign up for adventures with me. Thank you, Gary, and to all the support kayakers out there! Reach out to me if you’d like to share your story! mailto:shannon@intrepidwater.com

In his own words: Since searching Google for ‘kayaking events’ in 2011, I’ve been kayaking for swimmers first associated with IROC and now Kingdom Swims. So far, I’ve supported swimmers for nine, 10 or 15 mile Kingdom swimmers, seven Search for Memphre, multiple Swim the Kingdom, as well as Manhattan and Finger Lakes swimmers. In my other life, I’ve been a musician, college chaplain, and a counselor and special educator working with students with behavioral and/or academic challenges, as well as a spouse and a father, but now retired and studying Chinese.